Solvang’s Blake Colvin was a chemotherapy patient from age 8 to 10, and she was once thought to be terminally ill, so she knows the pains of the treatment process. Because of her personal experience, she’s dedicated much of her free time to bettering the lives of those facing similar battles.
It began with Cupcakes for Cancer—an idea that originated from her love of making and eating cupcakes and her desire to make a difference in the lives of children fighting cancer. She decided to help a fellow eighth grader, and, in six weeks, Colvin and her cupcake crew raised $5,000. Through her nonprofit, Colvin has been bringing in the dough for people undergoing cancer treatment.
Colvin has raised $65,000 overall with Cupcakes for Cancer. She’s also contributed money needed to grant seven wishes through the Make-A-Wish Foundation in the tri-counties area; donated $10,000 to the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation, an organization that aspires to lessen the financial burden of cancer treatments; given a $1,000 scholarship to a high school graduate; and spawned a national outreach program, Frosting Hope Across America.
Because of Colvin’s accomplishments, she’s often been recognized, from being spotlighted on NBC’s The Nate Berkus Show to winning the 2008 Spirit Award from the Santa Barbara County Board of Education.
Just recently, she was awarded the 2010 Prudential Spirit Award—an award for only one high school student and one middle school student per state. She’ll get an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C., where she’ll interact with her peers, have dinner while cruising on the Potomac, and attend the award ceremony in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. She also got $1,000 for her charity of choice—which will be her Cupcakes for Cancer. The event will take place in late April or early May.
“She’s very humble,” her mom, Stephanie Colvin, said about Blake. “But I’m not when I’m talking about her.”
What’s next? The teenage philanthropist is going to hold Cupcake Camp Santa Barbara 2011, an event similar to wine tasting, but with cupcakes. Her plans before high school graduation also include buying a small van, painting it pink, and using it to deliver and advertise Cupcakes for Cancer.
Intern Henry Houston compiled this week’s Community Corner. Send comments or ideas to the Sun via e-mail at intern@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Feb 17-24, 2011.